Name of Client: CLIENT A
DOB: 1988
Index Offence: Threats to kill
Prison: HMP Erlestoke
Date of Sentence: 2020
Tariff Expiry Date: 2026
Parole Hearing: 2024
Release Date: 2024
Approved Premises: Abingdon House, Oxford
Summary of Engagement with New Connections
First contact
CLIENT A was first referred to New Connections (NC) in November 2023. With an extensive criminal history, including assault and battery, CLIENT A required support through his parole process and beyond. From the beginning, it was clear that CLIENT A was enthusiastic about working with us; he was engaged, polite, and positive about his eventual release.
While CLIENT A was in custody, NC got to know him through video calls, phone calls, face-to-face visits, and documents related to his index offence. We identified the areas of his life where he would require the most support, as well as his personal goals. We could answer CLIENT A’s questions about move-on accommodation, funding towards courses he was interested in pursuing, and benefits to which he would be entitled once released. We reassured CLIENT A that there was support for him on the outside and that we would be there to guide him through the entire process, providing comfort and helping us build a trusting relationship.
Parole
For most clients, their parole hearing is a daunting process. It might be their first hearing, and they aren’t sure what to expect, or they may have had multiple rejections, which have left them feeling confused and let down. CLIENT A’s parole hearing, his first, was rescheduled multiple times. He was clear that he wanted an NC representative present for his hearing, and we were able to support him throughout this process. Fortunately, CLIENT A’s hearing in 2024 went well, and in November, he was pleased to inform us that his Direction For Release had come through.
Leading up to CLIENT A’s release, we provided him with our contact numbers so he could call us as soon as he was released. At NC, we acknowledge that the first few days post-release can be the most unsettling for our clients, and we want to provide them with as much support as they need.
Release
CLIENT A was released from prison at the end of 2024. NC contacted his Approved Premises (AP) the same day to introduce ourselves and arrange a phone call to see how he had settled in after a few days. In his first week out of prison, CLIENT A had almost daily contact to assist and support him with his return to the community and ensure he remained on track.
At NC, we are here to bridge the gap between our clients’ lives in prison and their future in society. As part of this process, we assemble bespoke Care Plans for them that are shared with the client’s Community Offender Manager and any additional services included in their care. These care plans are then reassessed at the end of months 1, 3 and 6 using in-house assessment tools. We will look at the following areas: Substance use, risk of recall, mental and physical health, housing, community, relationships and family, purpose and goals. This information will be used to restructure the care plan and help the client set small achievable goals for the next day, week or month.
Many of our clients have spent a lengthy period in prison and are then released and expected to make their own way to an AP, often in an area they are not familiar with. They will be introduced to an entirely new group of professionals: probation officers, support workers, key workers, and AP managers. At NC, we strive to be that reliable and familiar individual who is present when needed to offer advice, reassurance, and support during times of crisis.
Support in the community
CLIENT A settled well at his AP and stayed in touch at least once a week by phone. He worked extensively with two of our representatives. As a client, CLIENT A could express clearly the kind of assistance he sought. Some clients may feel uncertain about the support accessible to them and the advantages of seeking assistance; we can provide guidance when this is the case. Some of the support CLIENT A wanted was:
- Finding AA meetings near his AP.
- Finding suitable therapy to help him with his PTSD.
- Finding organisations that could provide him with funding for essentials/food vouchers.
NC was able to respond to all his queries, often on the same day. We contacted multiple trusts, agencies, and charities on CLIENT A’s behalf to give him the best possible chance for a successful reintegration into society.
Recall/Disengagement
Unfortunately, many of our clients struggle with readjusting to life outside of prison. At NC, we recognise that re-entry into society is rarely smooth, and success is not guaranteed. What we do guarantee for our clients is that no matter their journey, our support remains in place as long as they need it.
In 2025, CLIENT A was asked by another resident at the AP to have some money transferred into CLIENT A’s bank account (as the resident didn’t have his own). CLIENT A accompanied the resident to a cash machine to withdraw the money and was presented with two bottles of wine. CLIENT A had some of the wine and stated that “the next thing he knew, he woke up on a park bench, his tag had been removed, and he had lost his bank card and phone.” CLIENT A returned to the AP and explained the situation; however, a recall had already been issued, so CLIENT A packed a bag and left.
While absent without leave, CLIENT A felt comfortable reaching out to one of our representatives to explain what had transpired. He was confident that he would not be judged. The NC representative provided empathy and support to CLIENT A and advised him to hand himself in as soon as possible. At NC, we believe we provide a familiar and supportive connection for our clients, ensuring that when they encounter challenges or setbacks, they don’t feel hopeless and alone.
End Result
Despite this setback, CLIENT A (now back in prison) has reconnected with us and wishes to work with us again, which we are more than happy to do. CLIENT A has stated that he wishes to wait until the end of his sentence to be released and doesn’t wish to go through the parole process again. Whatever CLIENT A decides, we can provide support for him leading up to and after his release to give him the best possible chance at successfully reintegrating into the community. At NC, we recognise that everybody’s journey is different. We want clients to understand that we haven’t given up on them, even if they feel that others might have.
